Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio rutulus)

Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly Coloration and Size

The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a beautiful, common butterfly, yellow with black stripes. It is similar to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, distinguished by location.

The wingspan is in the 2 1/4" - 3 7/8" range. Life span is about 6-14 days.

Distribution and Habitat

The Western Swallowtail is often seen in meadows, woodland edges, streamsides and suburban gardens in the Western United States.

It can also frequently seen puddling at mud spots in large numbers.

Nectar and Host Plants Used by the Western Tiger Swallowtail

The Western Tiger Swallowtail utilizes a large variety of host plants, mostly trees, including Cottonwood, aspens, poplars, alders, ashes, and willows.

Photos of Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies

Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly, along the California coast at Hearst Castle, May 15, 2013

Photo by the author at ButterfliesAtHome.com

The Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly at Lodi Lake, California

By Calibas at en.wikipedia (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly in Vancouver, Washington

By Mrpaulin (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons